PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK: Gronk sits out

Thursday

Oct 5, 2017 at 11:21 PMOct 5, 2017 at 11:24 PM

Mark Daniels, Providence Journal

TAMPA, Fla. – Health issues continue to plague the Patriots. On Thursday, the latest victim was Rob Gronkowski.The All-Pro tight end was inactive in Tampa after suffering a thigh injury over the last 48 hours.

Gronkowski was a surprise addition to the injury report this week. Despite only holding two walk-throughs this week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Gronk was “limited” on Wednesday with a new thigh injury. He was listed as a full participant on Monday and Tuesday’s practice reports.

Gronkowski even traveled with his teammates to Tampa. According to NBC Sports Boston, he was “getting round the clock work” on his leg and the Patriots seemed optimistic on Thursday morning. That diagnosis changed, however, around three hours before kickoff.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported that it wasn’t a “sure thing” that Gronkowski would be active. Schefter added that Gronkowski has been battling a thigh contusion that “will limit his snaps … if he plays.” Fifteen minutes later, however, it was reported that the tight end was not expected to play.

Gronkowski had played in every game this season, but has already dealt with multiple soft tissue injuries. He suffered a groin injury in Week 2, in New Orleans, but played against Houston, catching eight passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

This latest injury is a tough blow to a Patriots offense that’s already been hurt with injury. This summer, Julian Edelman suffered a torn ACL and was placed on the season-ending injured reserve. Malcolm Mitchell is also starting the season on the injured reserve, but could come back later in the season.

With Gronk out, the Patriots took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with two tight ends: Dwayne Allen and undrafted rookie Jacob Hollister. The Patriots acquired Allen in the offseason for reasons like this. The veteran, who replaced Martellus Bennett, has struggled and came into Tampa with zero catches in four games. He spent four of the last five seasons as the starting tight end in Indy.

Hollister has caught two passes for 24 yards in three games this season.

No need for Ninkovich? If the Patriots are going to get added help on defense this season, it doesn’t look like it’ll come from Rob Ninkovich.

Although the defensive end told CSNNE last month that he’s “not closing the door” on a comeback, Ninkovich said on Thursday that the Patriots haven’t reached out about coming out of retirement. Speaking with ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike, the former Patriots ironman was asked if the team has asked him to come and try to help their defense.

The 33-year-old was productive last season. In 12 games, Ninkovich finished with four sacks to go along with 32 tackles. He also started all three postseason games, including Super Bowl LI.

Through four weeks of the 2017 season, the Patriots pass rush has been lacking. Before Ninkovich retired, the team lost Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long in free agency. The Patriots went into Thursday night’s matchup with Tampa Bay with eight total sacks (tied for 27th in the NFL).

Ninkovich reiterated Thursday that retiring while still healthy was the right thing to do for his family.

“I’m enjoying my time,” Ninkovich said. “I’ve never had a September, October in my life, as an adult, to really enjoy it. And I am also enjoying Mondays and Tuesdays not feeling like I just got run over by a truck.”

Injury report: Gronkowski highlighted the inactive list, but he wasn’t the only key player missing on Thursday. Also inactive for the Patriots were Eric Rowe, Alan Branch, Rex Burkhead, Cole Croston, Harvey Langi and LaAdrian Waddle.

Rowe was ruled out with a groin injury Wednesday and didn’t make the trip to Tampa. That meant the Patriots relied on Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore and Jon Jones at cornerback. Rowe can’t catch a break right now. He started over Butler in New Orleans, but came out of that game with a groin injury. Last weekend, he started the second half over Gilmore, but once again, injured his groin and left the game.

Burkhead was ruled out with a rib injury on Wednesday. He has now missed the last three games since suffering the injury in New Orleans. The Pats have been fine at running back with James White, Mike Gillislee and Dion Lewis.

Branch also didn’t make the trip. That decision, however, was performance based, according to ESPN. The Patriots relied on Malcom Brown, Lawrence Guy and Adam Butler at defensive tackle against Tampa Bay.

Gilmore and Elandon Roberts were active after being tested by the medical staff pregame. Both players are working through ankle injuries.

Matthew Slater made his 2017 debut on Thursday after missing the first four weeks with a hamstring injury.

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